St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-06-05

apolis. Such interests build up the
latter places at the expense of interme-
date points. The Chicago, Milwaukee
d st. Paul has river division making a
71a-cent rate, while the other has a
15-cent rate per 100. There is little
too much discrimination in such bust
ness as that.
Commissioner Austin-The commits
sion is anxious to get at the underlying
principle. | cannot see any reason why
this aid should not be granted as BUSH
ness principle, and if it would prevent
the lowering of rates | should like to
know how.
Senator Pope-It would be discrimi-
nation against places, although not
against individuals, and it would have
tendency to prevent the proper lower
ing of rates.
Gov. Austin-If the Minneapolis & st.
Louis should run from st. Paul to Man.
kato, could see a reason for the pro-
test, but as there is Il direct line to Red
Wing making lower rates already, would
it make any difference to Mankato ii
this Red Wing business was divided
over the two roads?
Mr.. Pope - Discrimination against
places! 1t would establish special rates
between special places, which is already
being done. If such rate was made
universal, we would not object, but it is
not Il business principle for one mer-
chant to charge one customer one price
and another another price-to run aJeW
clothing store, as it were. This is what
the railroads are doing and are asking
to be permitted to continue to do.
THE CLOSING ARGUMENT.
Hn,,Arol Aanamay fIrnnSIaln had the
closing argument. Briefly, he said, for
most of the afternoon was taken up
with the closing:
| regret that there have been some
statements to the effect that we are not
sincere in asking for this suspension,
but that it is a joint operation of the
different railroad companies to break
the backbone of the law. This
is not true. have not
talked with any other railroad man,
and we are simply asking for this sus
pension in order to be enabled to do
business. We do our freight business
upon the Cannon Valley division with
one train. The train is run most of the
time with half load. If our company
is shut out of this through business, or
compelled to reduce its rates to cover
it, or raise rates to make it up, it would
be almost necessary to raise local rates.
We have to use the same men
at the same expense to carry
the local freight as though through
freight were handled, and hence the eX-
penSe of hauling would be greater. We
want to stay in the business, and we
believe the business men along the
road would find it inconvenient many
times ii we were shut out. At certain
seasons ears are scarce upon some OF
the lines, and if business men should
lose even only one line, it would be very
incOnvenient. Our rates have been
made from Minneapolis to all
points upon our line based upon
our distance tariff, except in few in
stances, but upon examining the tariff l
find | was mistaken. At Waterville the
rates from Minneapolis were reasonable,
and we can establish this fact at any
time. If this is so, cannot see how
there would be any discrimination
against Waterville, or any other point,
and make small profit. | think it is a
true business principle, being re-
sorted to every day by our success
full business men over the state.
The low rates from st. Paul to Chicago
and from Chicago to ST. Paul were made
from competition with points like Lake
Superior. The railroad companies are
not responsible for these diScrimina-
tons; they were compulsory and for the
most part just. | know it would be i'm
possible for our line OF any other line to
make the same rates to interior points
in the state without going into
bankruptcy. | make this statement
as no bluff, but as my honest
opinion. l can see no reason why our
application shall not be granted on any
thing that has been said to-day. These
rates are in force by our competitors.
and it would merely give us an oppor-
tunity 10 get share of the business and
help pay expenses.
Chairman Austin thought both sides
had been very ably argued. He, for one,
felt great responsibility in having to
decide such a question, but he hoped
the commission would reach a fair
and, if possible, satisfactory conclusion.
The matter is taken under advise
ment.
DISCRIMINATION CHARGED.
After the hearing closed MIR. Reyes
presented long petition of the Boards
of Trade union of Pennington, North
field, Faribauit and 0watonna, Endorsed
by the Minnesota Business Mems as
ISOLATION, which alleged that the Chi
cagO, Milwaukee q st. Paul was dis
eliminating against the cities of Farm
ington, Northfield, Dundas, Faribault
and Owatonna, by charging for grain
and flour stuffs rate of 49, cents to
Chicago and Milwaukee, except on the
La Crosse and Chicago division,
where the rate was 15% cents,
while the rate from st. Paul,
Minneapolis, Minnesota Transfer, Me-
nominee, Eau Claire and Chippewa
Falls to Chicago and Milwaukee was
~ cents, except on the Wisconsin Val
ley division, from Runkels to Merrill,
where it was 1919 cents. He requested
the commission to forward the complaint
on to the interstate commission. Mr..
Boyden explained how the rates were
governed, and stated that his road car
ried out of Minneapolis Is per cent.
more than it carried to Minneapolis in
wheat, while the millers had only a
margin of 5 cents per barrel profit.
DVDnc ON ACcHCE